Steam iron



Sept. 9, 1958 M. M. KISTNER STEAM IRON '2 Sheets-Sheet l mm rim Filed Dec. 8, 1953 INVENTOR Merrill M. Kisi'ner B ,h/

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STEAM IRON Filed Dec. 8. 195a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5-

INVENTOR Merrill M. Kismer ATTORNE S United States Patent Steam Iron Corporation, Treasure Island, Fla, a corporation of Florida Application December 8, 1953, Serial No. 396,876

6 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates to improvements in steam irons, and more particularly to improvements in irons of the explosion type in which water is delivered in regulated quantities to a heated sole plate where it is vaporized.

In my prior Patent No. 2,384,839 granted September 18, 1945, I have disclosed and claimed a steam iron of the type in which a reservoir is arranged between the sole-plate and the handle from which water is fed, drop by drop, to a steam generating chamber in the sole-plate. The generated steam is delivered to the fabric being ironed through steam discharge ports in the ironing surface of the sole-plate. In designing commercial irons of this type, the industry has followed the general design of the earlier used sad-iron, which was heated on the surface of a stove and used for pressing before the advent of electric irons. Such sad-irons were provided with handles consisting of front and rear legs or supports and a substantially horizontal gripping portion, which was grasped by the person using the iron. Such handle construction was necessary with a sad-iron because the smoothing of the fabric was actually accomplished by the application of pressure, and the handle had to be capable of being grasped to exert this pressure.

In a properly functioning flash type steam iron it is not necessary to apply pressure during the ironing operation. The steam entering the interstices of the fabric so conditions it that the movement of the sole-plateover the fabric is suflicient to smooth it out. I, therefore, propose to eliminate the conventional handle and replace it with what I call an eraser type handle. In other words, the part to be held during ironing may consist of a substantially flat top to receive the hand with indentations at each side, one for the thumb and the other for the other fingers. This allows suflicient grip to guide the iron over the fabric, which is all that is necessary for ironing with such irons.

One of the important advantages of the use of such a handle is that it permits the space immediately below the handle to be employed to house the reservoir. One objection to steam irons has been that they looktoo bulky compared to a dry electric iron. The arrangement of the reservoir over the sole-plate, with a space provided between the top of the reservoir and the gripping portion of the handle, is responsible for this. It will be apparent that if the handle member is moved down on top of the reservoir, this appearance of excessive bulkiness will be avoided.

This arrangement, however, presents another problem. While steam irons are designed to minimize the upward passage of heat from the sole-plate to the reservoir, some heating of the reservoir cannot be avoided. With the handle member immediately above and on each side of the reservoir, it is essential that the heating of the reservoir be so controlled that grasping the handle is not uncomfortable. To assure this result, I provide a spacer between the sole-plate and the reservoir. This spacer consists of a plate shaped to conform to the shape of the sole-plate, having a downwardly extending peripheral flange, which, merges into the design of the iron. The lower edge of this flange is spaced from the sole-plate. Adjacent the upper edge of the flange, I provide openings extending around the spacer. This permits air to flow into the spacer at the bottom and out through the openings at the top. This dissipates most of the heat that would otherwise be transmitted upwardly from the sole-plate to the reservoir. I also space the bottom of the reservoir from the spacer plate to further reduce transfer of heat to the reservoir.

The invention also includes improvements in the valve mechanism, valve operating mechanism and other details of construction of the iron as will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view,

Figure 2 is a vertical, transverse, sectional View on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed, sectional view of the sole-plate and the cover of the sole-plate;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, detailed, sectional view of the valve assembly showing the manner in which the spacer shell and reservoir are assembled with the sole-plate at the front end of the iron; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the sole-plate.

Referring to the drawings, the iron comprises a sole.- plate 1, which may be of any suitable construction ineluding means for vaporizing water fed to it, drop by drop, and for delivering the steam thus formed through outlets (not shown) in the bottom of the sole-plate to the material being ironed. The sole-plate may advantageou sly be of the construction shown in my prior patent, referred to above. A cover-plate 3 is arranged over the sole-plate and this cover-plate cooperates with the channels in the sole-plate to form the steam passages through which steam flows from the steam generating chamber to the outlets in the ironing face of the sole-plate. The cover-plate extends over the portion of the sole-plate in which the channels are arranged (see Fig. 5 This plate, resting on top of the sole-plate, forms the top of the channels and separates them from each other. As shown in Figure 3, the sole-plate is provided with a groove 4 at its periphery, which receives a flange 5 on the cover. The groove decreases in thickness toward the bottom and the cover is forced into the groove. It may also be retained by screws 6, which pass through the cover into tapped openings. in the sole-plate. The thermostat 7 is located rearwardly of the steam generating chamber. One terminal of the thermostat is connected in the usual manner toa terminal 9 of the heating element 10 em bedded in the sole-plate. The heating element is formed in a loop generally following the contour of the toe of the sole-plate. At its other end 11, a connector extends from the heating element to one of the terminals (not shown) to which the usual cord connector is attached. The other terminal of the cord connector is connected to the thermostat in the usual manner. I

Immediately overthe sole-plate, I provide a spacer shell 13. This shell consists of a plate, the main portion of which is depressed, as indicated at 14, surrounded by a raised edge portion 15. The plate is shaped to conform to the contour of the sole-plate and it is provided with a flange 16 extending downwardly toward the soleplate. As shown, this flange terminates above the soleplate providing a space 17 through which air enters the area between the sole-plate and the spacer plate. Adjacent thetop of the flange 16, I provide a plurality of spaced slits 18. Air entering the space over the soleplate through the space 17 flows out through these slits, and thus dissipates heat which would otherwise flow from the sole-plate to the reservoir.

Above the spacer plate I provide a reservoir 19. As

shown, the bottom portion of the reservoir follows the contour of the sole-plate and the spacer plate. It is provided with a bottom 21 that is spaced from the plate 14 and with a wall 22 that merges into the design of the sole-plate and spacer plate. Adjacent the forward end the bottom portion of the reservoir is provided with an 'opening 23 in which a filling tube 24 is secured, as by brazing. As shown, the upper end of this tubeis internally threaded at 25. Rearwardly of the filling tube, the reservoir is provided with an upper portion 26 which is substantially rectangular in transverse cross-section.

At the front of the iron, the handle or shell is provided with an extension 30 arranged in front on the upper section of the reservoir. This extension is provided with an opening, which extends upwardly from the lower face and which receives the filling tube 24. Beyond the tube 24, the opening is reduced in cross-section providing a portion to receive a second tube 32 having an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of tube 24 and being threaded at its lower edge to engage the threads 25. The upper end of this tube is flattened to engage the shell, and thus secure it to the reservoir. Tubes 24 and 32 thus form the filling means for the reservoir and also serve as an open vent to vent air from the reservoir.

The handle may be molded, or otherwise formed of any suitable plastic material.

As shown in Figure 4, a dome 33 surrounds an opening 34 in cover-plate 3, the opening being near the toe of the iron and over the steam generating chamber of the sole-plate. Spacer plate 13 and the bottom of the reservoir are also provided with openings aligned with the opening 34. A nut 35 is secured by brazing, or other suitable means, to the top of dome 33. Valve member 36 extends through the openings in the bottom of the reservoir and the spacer plate and this valve member is externally threaded to engage nut 35. As shown, it is provided with a head 37 larger than the opening in the bottom of the reservoir and thus secures these parts together. The head may be provided with a slot 33 for the reception of a tool to permit disassembly of these parts. Such tool may be inserted through the reservoir after the handle has been removed. Valve member 36 is also provided with a groove for the reception of a split ring 39, which retains the spacer shell in position. The height of dome 33, depression of plate 14, and dimensions of flange 16 are such that the space 17, at the bottom of flange 16, is provided for admission of air to the area immediately above the sole-plate. Also the bottom of the reservoir has a depression 40 at the point where the valve member passes through it. This spaces the reservoir an appreciable distance from plate 14 and further insulates the reservoir from the heat of the soleplate.

The valve member 36 has an axial opening, which is shaped at its lower end to form a valve seat 41. This seat is engaged by a valve 42 formed on the lower end of valve rod 42. The valve rod extends through the reservoir into a recess 43 in the handle or shell. It is surrounded by a tube 44, the lower end of which is secured in the depression 40 in the bottom of the reservoir as by brazing. The tube is slotted at 44 to permit flow of water from the reservoir into the valve member 36.

At the top of the reservoir, the valve stem 42 passes through a guide. This guide consists of an internally threaded sleeve 45 and an externally threaded member 46. As shown, the sleeve is provided with a flange 47,

which engages the top of the reservoir and the member 46 is also provided with a flange 48, which engages flange 47 to clamp the guide in position. A coil spring 49 is arranged on the valve stem between the guide and a collar 50. The spring urges the valve stem downwardly to close the valve 42'. A gasket surrounds the stem and is compressed against the guide by spring 49. The upper end of the valve stem is threaded as at 51 to receive a pair of nuts 52. A lever 54 is pivoted on a pin 55 in the recess 43. This lever is provided with a forked end 56. This end of the lever surrounds the valve stem beneath the nuts 52. Thus, when lever 54 is turned clockwise (as seen in Figure 1), valve stem 42 is moved upwardly to open the valve and deliver water to the steam generating chamber of the sole-plate. Actuation of the valve is accomplished by means of a cam wheel 57 mounted on a pin 58 in recess 43. This wheel has cam portions 59 which receive a finger 60 on the other end of the lever 54. Thus, when wheel 57 is turned to move finger 60 from one portion of the cam to a higher portion, the right end of the lever is depressed and the valve stem is moved upwardly. The valve is thus opened and spring 49 compressed. When the Wheel is turned in the opposite direction, as finger 60 moves from a high portion to a lower portion of the cam, spring 49 moves the valve toward a closed position. The top of the Wheel is substantially flush with the upper surface of handle portion 28 and is provided with a series of depressions 61 in which suitable indications, such as off, low, medium and high may be placed so that the user can tell the position at which the valve is set. Nuts 52 and threaded stem 51 provide adjusting means for the valve to insure delivery of the proper amount of water for each valve setting.

The under side of the upper-portion 28 of the handle member is provided with a recess 62 and the forward portion 63 of this recess extends through to the upper surface. A thermostat setting member 64 is mounted in this recess. As shown, member 64 is provided with a plurality of stepped portions 65 on its lower face, and with an operating member 66 on its upper face. This operating member projects upwardly through slot 63. The lower surface of member 64 engages a rod 67, which passes through a sleeve 68 in the reservoir and through a guide tube 69 carried by the thermostat. Rod 67 controls or sets the thermostat in the usual manner for operation at selected temperatures. Thus, the temperature at which the user wishes to iron is set by moving the member 64 in either direction. This is accomplished by pushing or moving the upwardly projecting member 66 in the slot 63. The surface adjacent the slot may be provided with suitable indicia to indicate the temperature settings when member 66 is in various positions.

As heretofore described, the reservoir and spacer plate 13 are secured to the sole-plate assembly by the valve mechanism. The front end of the handle is secured by the flange on the upper end of tube 32. At the rear of the iron, a bracket member 70 is secured to the sole-plate by a bolt or screw 71. A plate 72 covers the opening between spacer 16 and the sole-plate. One arm 73 of bracket 70 extends over this plate 72 and a screw 74 is passed through aligned openings in these parts. The opening in arm 73 is threaded and when the screw is tightened, the parts are secured together. The rear part of reservoir 19 and rear part of shell 13 are held in position by screw 78 in an arm 79 of bracket 70. Arm 79 has a tapped hole for screw 78. A spacer 80 provides an air gap between shell 13 and reservoir 19. Another arm 81 of bracket 70 extends upwardly through openings in plate 14 and the reservoir. Arm 81 is provided with a tapped opening for the reception of machine screw or bolt 82. As shown, this bolt passes through rear portion 83 of the handle, and through the cord connector 84, which fits in a recess in portion 83. The cord connector carries the usual cord connections (not shown) to receive the cord by means of which the iron is connected to a convenience outlet. Bolt 82 thus secures the handle to the assembly at the rear, and also retains cord connector 84 in position.

I claim:

1. A steam iron comprising a sole-plate having a steam generating chamber, a reservoir over the sole-plate, the reservoir comprising a lower portion covering a portion of the sole-plate and conforming substantially in shape with the sole-plate, and an upper portion of reduced crosssection, the upper and lower portions of the reservoir being of substantially the same length, and a closed handle arranged over. and on each side of the upper portion of the reservoir and secured to the sole-plate, the handle comprising side portions extending downwardly on each side of the upper portion of the reservoir, an upper portion extending over the top of the upper portion of the reservoir, and flanges at each side of the upper portion extending outwardly beyond the side portions of the handle.

2. A steam iron comprising a sole-plate having a steam generating chamber, a reservoir over the sole-plate, the reservoir comprising a lower portion covering a portion of the sole-plate and conforming substantially in shape with the sole-plate, and an upper portion of reduced crosssection, the upper and lower portions of the reservoir being of substantially the same length, and a closed handle arranged over the reservoir and connected to the soleplate, the handle being provided with a recess forming an open bottom to receive the reduced upper portion of the reservoir and to form side portions arranged on each side of the upper portion of the reservoir and an upper portion over the top of the upper portion of the reservoir, and flanges at each side of the upper portion of the handle extending outwardly beyond the side portions of the handle.

3. In an electric steam iron of the flash type comprising a sole-plate, a steam generating chamber in the sole-plate, a reservoir over the sole-plate, valve controlled means for delivering water in regulated amounts from the res ervoir to the steam generating chamber, a heating element in the sole-plate, and a handle, the improvement in which the reservoir has a lower portion substantially conforming in cross-section to the sole-plate and an upper portion of reduced cross-section, the upper and lower portions of the reservoir being of substantially the same length, and a closed handle arranged over and on each side of the upper portion of the reservoir and secured to the soleplate, the handle comprising side portions extending downwardly on each side of the upper portion of the reservoir, an upper portion extending over the top of the upper portion of the reservoir and flanges at each side of the upper portion extending outwardly beyond the side portions of the handle.

4. A steam iron in accordance with claim 3 in which a spacer shell is arranged between the sole-plate and the reservoir, the spacer shell spaced from the sole-plate for admission of air, and provided with openings near its upper edge for exhaust of air.

5. In a flat iron, a body having a top wall, walls defining a steam chamber in the body, a handle on the body which extends longitudinally of the body in spaced relation with the top wall of the body, a water reservoir positioned on the body between the under side of the handle and the top of the body and having a top wall, the top Wall of the reservoir extending contiguously along and being substantially narrower than said handle, and the parts of the handle extending beyond the opposite side walls of the reservoir forming grip portions along the length of said handle.

6. In a flat iron, a body having a top wall, walls defining a steam chamber in the body, a handle on the body which extends longitudinally of the body in spaced relation with the top wall of the body, the under side of said handle being formed to provide a longitudinally extending recess, a water reservoir positioned on the body between the under side of the handle and the top of the body and substantially filling the space between the handle and the body, said reservoir having a top wall being received within said longitudinally extending recess and being substantially narrower than said handle, and the parts of the handle extending beyond the oppoiste side walls of the reservoir forming grip portions along the length of said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,912 Jung Feb. 4, 1879 2,353,604 Waring et al July 11, 1944 2,475,572 Schreyer July 5, 1949 2,506,941 Scott May 9, 1950 2,512,062 Hufiman et al June 20, 1950 2,557,732 Finlayson June 19, 1951 

